I think Bill - what your problem is - is that you have walked away from something and all of a sudden, you turn the radio on and you expect to hear traffic, just like you did 10 - 20 years ago...

Up in the north, they pass traffic on two meters, at least as far as Bingimton NY to Erie via Ridgeway PA, and they pass it as far south as Pittsburgh PA - via the national traffic system.

The only person I know personally that is involved in Pete Carr - WW3O
You might have read one or more of his articles in QST Magazine.
I think Pete says they do it in the morning.
Not enough traffic anymore to sit there and do it all day.
I don't even know what kind of traffic they pass.
I think they only do it to keep the system up and running in case of a emergency.

If you want people to participate with - I would tone down the attitude...
There is still some good guys out there, but most of the old HAMS - pre No Code - are DEAD, and the ones that still has the radios on are not the same hams you remember from 20 - 30 years ago.

2 meters / 70 CM is unique band.
It is the first place you go when you get your license and the last place you go before they take you to the rest home or the cemetary.
Most real hams won't even use any band that is channeltized...
You are going to find that the kids on the radio today are mostly the walkie talkie crowd, who are not real hams, just want to be's. Who refuses to put up antenna's or buy transceivers or stand up to their old lady to be able to put something in or on or outside of the house.

Sounds like you have been delegated into that crowd.

Your Advanced license tells volumes.
You knew about communications but didn't see any need to go beyond Advanced and probably got mad when they eliminated Advanced and got rid of the code...
That is the consensus of the population here....

Find yourself a Amateur Radio Club and get involved in Amateur Radio - not just the walkie talkie crowd on the 565 simplex or the repeater retards...
Get out the books and study and get your Amateur Extra license and become a VE and give back to Amateur Radio - don't just take!

You will find, if you get involved - you will not feel so jilted and will be less apt to retreat to the 75 and 160 meters, with the other buddy clubs, where all they do is sit and cuss and not use their call signs and act like they are still on the CB radio...